Hoffenheim women ultimately deservedly defeated a overwhelmed Cologne team with a score of 6-2 (4-1). Marie Steiner put TSG in the lead in the 2nd minute, Selina Cerci increased it to 2-0 five minutes later (7th minute). Lydia Andrade scored the consolation goal in the 10th minute, before Nikee van Dijk and Cerci extended the lead before halftime. Sandra Maria Jessen’s goal for Cologne was not enough for a comeback (50th minute). Cerci with her third goal and Janna Grimm sealed the final score (89th/90+4th).
Early in the game, Hoffenheim took the lead after two minutes. The objective of maintaining the race for international spots in the Women’s Bundesliga was clear from the start for Hoffenheim. After a quick exchange between Cerci and Steiner, the latter scored for the early lead (2nd minute). Shortly after, the TSG players celebrated again.
Cologne seemed overwhelmed in the early minutes but surprisingly got back into the game in a bizarre way: after a back pass to Hoffenheim’s goalkeeper Laura Dick, she underestimated the oncoming Andrade, resulting in an own goal (10th minute). The eventful equalizer in the early minutes in Kraichgau.
Instead of stabilizing the game with the goal, Cologne continued to make glaring mistakes in their build-up play. A misplaced back pass by Vogt led to the 3-1 goal in the 19th minute, finished confidently by Nikée van Dijk after Cerci’s assist. The TSG didn’t let up and made it 4-1 in the 41st minute with a perfectly executed attack – Van Dijk set up Janssens who passed to Cerci to score effortlessly. The 4-1 score was also the halftime result. With her second goal of the evening, Cerci also took the lead in the top scorers’ list.
Cologne came out stronger after the break, pressing high and trying to force mistakes from the hosts. They were rewarded with a goal after 50 minutes, bringing the score to 4-2. Despite regaining control through possession, Hoffenheim didn’t pose a threat until the 65th minute when Cerci missed the target. In the 90th minute, Cerci scored again, followed by Grimm’s goal in injury time to seal the 6-2 victory.
With this win, Hoffenheim climbed back to fourth place in the table, still in contention for a Champions League qualification spot. Cologne remains in eighth place. Next week, Hoffenheim will face league leaders Bayern Munich away on May 6th, while Cologne will host Werder Bremen on May 2nd.
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